Group E: Marta and Formiga make history, Spain splits points with Costa Rica

Not many things are in soccer are constant, but when Brazil opens a Women’s World Cup group, it wins and Marta is likely to score. Both were the case again as Brazil downed Korea Republic, 2-0, Tuesday in Group F play.

Marta’s goal was the first of two historic events that took place during the match at Olympic Stadium as her penalty kick in the 53rd minute made her the all-time scoring leader in Women’s World Cup history. The goal gave the Brazilian midfielder 15 career goals on soccer’s greatest stage and broke a tie with retired German striker Birgit Prinz who scored 14 goals. The goal was also a case of déjà vu for the 29-year-old as her first World Cup goal came against Korea Republic via penalty kick in 2003.

The historic penalty kick goal was the result of a mistake by the Korean defense. Looking to end another Brazilian attack, a miscommunication between defenders allowed Formiga to steal the ball only to be fouled in the box and allow Marta the goal.

While Marta’s goal was a highlight, Formiga’s game was historic too. Playing in her sixth Women’s World Cup, the 37-year-old also snagged a goal for just her second in World Cup play.

The Koreans had done well for the opening 30 minutes as Brazil possessed the ball exclusively in the attacking field yet couldn’t get many scoring chances.

With the Brazilians looking for a counter attack, South Korean forced an errant pass and looked to play the ball back to goalkeeper Kim Jungmi. The soft touch by Kim Doyeon was run down by 37-year-old Formiga who pushed the ball easily into the net. Formiga’s goal made her the oldest goalscorer in Women’s World Cup history.

While South Korea entered the match with momentum off a 0-0 draw with the United State on May 30, it didn’t translate against Brazil and lacked urgency.

One of the few moments where the South Koreans had momentum came in the opening half on a foul committed by Brazil’s Rafaelle. Moments later South Korea earned a corner kick that produced its best scoring opportunity. Served into the middle of the 18-yard box, the ball came down at the feet of captain Cho Sohyun who missed the initial header, composed herself and fired a shot that went wide of the net.

After Marta’s goal, South Korea began to press higher and forced mistakes by the Brazilian defenders. The South Koreans nearly netted their first goal after a mistake from goalkeeper Luciana left the Brazilian out of the net but Ji Soyun’s shotbound for the net was deflected wide.

Brazil now stands at a perfect 7-0-0 in opening matches at the Women’s World Cup, outscoring its opponents by a 20-1 margin.

In the first World Cup match for both Costa Rica and Spain, two goals in 73 seconds sealed the first points for both teams in a 1-1 draw.

Being the first appearances on soccer’s biggest stage meant each moment was monumental and the goals were no exception.

Spain’s historic opening goal came from former NWSL midfielder Vicky Losada in the 13th minute. Dominating possession and pressure in the opening minutes, Losada posted up against a defender in the 18-yard box. Seeing the opportunity, Sonia Bermudez delivered the ball at Losada’s feet. The Spanish midfielder spun to her right and fired a shot in the opposite corner for the goal.

The historic moment for Spain was followed up quickly for Las Ticas as they found the equalizer moments later. With the early deficit, Costa Rica found space on the left side of the field. A cross into the box from Lixy Rodriguez found Penn State midfielder Raquel Rodriguez wide open in front of goal to give the youngster the biggest goal in Costa Rican history.

Spain came out the aggressor in the second half putting 12 shots on the scorecard but only three on frame. Led by Bermudez on the flank, Spain’s possessive attack created numerous chances. The first scoring opportunity saw the forward find Jennifer Hermosa inside the six-yard box only to be denied by Costa Rica’s Dinnia Diaz. Minutes later after a turnover by Las Ticas, captain Vero Boquete dribbled into the box. After drawing the attention of the defense, Boquete passed to sprinting Hermosa but fired the go-ahead goal wide of the post.

In the final ten minutes with Costa Rica content with the draw, Spain turned up the pressure but still couldn’t find the winning goal. The last chance on net for the Spaniards was their best as Losada got the ball inside the box. With the ball headed for the upper left corner, Diaz made a leaping save to preserve Costa Rica’s first World Cup points.

Both teams return to Olympic Stadium on Saturday as the battle for the top two slots in Group F continues.

Spain will battle top of the group and favorite Brazil in the first match of the day with kickoff slated for 4 p.m. ET. Korea Republic looks to rebound and get their first World Cup points when they battle Costa Rica in the final match the day that begins at 7 p.m. ET.